# Iran’s Bitcoin Transaction Activity Fell About 80% at Start of Blackout, Then Rebounded

By Enna Lee

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/investing/41922
Published: 2026-10-27T18:09:37.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-27T18:09:37.000Z
Section: Investing

> Activity rose to more than 75% of baseline by the shutdown’s end and nearly twice baseline as restrictions eased, while internet traffic reached only 40% of its 2026 peak on May 26.

Bitcoin (BTC) transaction activity in an Iran-focused measure of everyday use fell about 80% from baseline when the second nationwide internet blackout began Feb. 28, then rose as restrictions eased, while household access remained unmeasured.

Activity recovered to more than 75% of its baseline by the end of the shutdown. After restrictions began easing in late May, it climbed to nearly twice baseline.

Internet traffic from Iran fell to well under 1% of previous levels during the blackout. Traffic began rising around 7 a.m. ET (11 a.m. UTC) May 26 and reached 40% of its maximum level observed so far in 2026 that day. IPv6 traffic remained effectively zero.

The Bitcoin and internet figures measure different things and use different baselines. The transaction measure does not identify unique users or show whether activity came from many people or repeated transactions by fewer wallets. It also does not establish how many households could reliably access their wallets.

Iran’s January blackout offers a comparison: Bitcoin transactions fell nearly 90% below baseline in the first week, then exceeded baseline after restrictions lifted. Internet traffic from that shutdown, which began Jan. 8, recovered more fully beginning Jan. 27.